Norwich mayor attempts to sell people on police station

Sunday

Jul 1, 2012 at 12:01 AMJul 1, 2012 at 1:03 AM

Mayor Peter Nystrom spent most of Friday canvassing downtown businesses and speaking with owners and residents, the first phase of an aggressive marketing campaign by the city to win support for its planned $33.4 million bond to build a Cliff Street police headquarters.

Adam Benson

Mayor Peter Nystrom spent most of Friday canvassing downtown businesses and speaking with owners and residents, the first phase of an aggressive marketing campaign by the city to win support for its planned $33.4 million bond to build a Cliff Street police headquarters.

“We have a responsibility to convince and educate everyone that this is the right thing to do. It’s an investment in our long-term future. It’s going to be a challenge, and I certainly accept it,” Nystrom said earlier Friday. “I have a very high comfort talking about this with any state official, and I’m going to follow through on that.”

Nystrom, Police Chief Louis Fusaro Sr. and other proponents are embarking on a public relations push to sell voters on what would be the largest city bond in more than a decade — when the city borrowed to build the new firehouse near West Main Street. Officials are promising an information blitz that will reach as high as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and spread out to civic organizations across the city.

On Monday, the City Council will decide whether to spend $100,000 as a nonrefundable deposit on the five parcels included in the planned 4-acre site, anchored by the former Sears building at 2-6 Cliff St. The bond item will appear before taxpayers on Nov. 6.

“It’s needed. That’s a small place they got there,” said Monty Santiago, who works at Fone City at 221 Main St. Originally from Bridgeport, Santiago said providing a downtown police presence in Bridgeport helped inject a sense of safety among residents, helping revitalize parts of that city.

“It’s all about perception,” he said.

As he chatted with merchants about the plan, Nystrom distributed copies of an October 2011 site assessment showing the need for a new police station. Much of that document is based on a July 2007 space needs report, which recommended at least 57,000 square feet on 4 acres.

“This is going to be the catalyst for spin-off development down here,” Nystrom said

If voters approve the November bond, the 40,000-square-foot building on Cliff Street would be expanded to 60,000 square feet.

Nystrom said the price tag for the station is all-inclusive. About half the money — $17 million — would pay for renovation and expansion work.

According to the October 2011 assessment, the Cliff Street building, which is owned by Lord Properties, has an assessed value of $1.41 million, though the city would pay $2.57 million to make up for the loss of about $300,000 a year in rent and lease payments, Nystrom said.

Monday discussion

Deputy Comptroller Joshua Pothier said Friday that officials are still compiling financial details of the plan and hope the information will be ready in time for Monday’s council meeting.

As of today, when the new fiscal year begins, Norwich will be carrying $37.4 million in general fund debt.

Should residents back the bond, Nystrom said he’ll approach Malloy for funding through the state Bond Commission to help pay for the project. Based on previous decisions by the commission, he’s confident money will flow to Norwich.

According to commission minutes, more than $1 million has been allocated to agencies across the state since 2001 that has been used to help construct police stations. That includes $700,000 sent to Montville in December 2010 and $84,000 in 2006 to build a new campus headquarters for Eastern Connecticut State University’s force.

But for now, Nystrom said, keeping the public attuned to the scope of the city’s ambitions is the top priority. Officials plan to launch several informational workshops in the coming months with that goal in mind.

“We will take this to any group or neighborhood willing to listen,” Nystrom said.

Among those already backing the investment is Labor Ready owner Bernie Lippman and Tonisha Fauntleroy, assistant manager at the 240 Main St. business.

“We’re the ones here at 4:30 in the morning, and it’s empty, because people think it’s not safe,” said Lippman, who lives in Ledyard. “I think it’s a very good idea and will bring something downtown that will balance what’s happening at the mall.”

Fauntleroy, who lives in Norwich, agreed.

“I think it’s a really good idea, seeing as they (the police) spend a lot of time down here anyway,” she said.